Device for holding changeable element

ABSTRACT

A device for displaying changeable elements. The device is mountable by adhering or mechanically attaching to a structure, a vehicle, or other item. The device can have an elongated body into which a decorative or instructional element can be inserted and be readily changeable. Connectors on the device allow for extending the length of the device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The field of the invention pertains to decoration, display and also toinstructional aids. In particular, the invention pertains to thepositioning of a decorative element that can be readily changeable.

Normally a decorative element, such as a wallpaper border is adhered inplace with the use of wallpaper paste or with the use of adhesivebacking on some wallpapers. Decorative elements in a home or vehicle areoften fixed and can become dated with the passage of time as styles andcolors change.

A problem is that when a desire arises to change a decorative element,it is difficult to remove it because it has been fixed in place. Glue oranother semi-permanent adhesive is used to fix the decorative element inplace. The removal of the wallpaper or border can cause tearing of thepaint or wallboard beneath the wallpaper/border. A wallpaper steamer maybe required to help remove the glued wallpaper. However, a wallpapersteamer is a messy and cumbersome machine to use. Moreover, even afterthe wallpaper has been steamed, a blade and significant elbow grease maybe needed to work the wallpaper off the underlying surface. Even then,some damage may occur to the underlying surface.

Removal of a fabric or carpet decorative element in a vehicle may beeven more difficult as there may be no easy way to remove the fabric orcarpet.

Another problem is because of the involved removal procedure describedabove, redecorating is often ignored leading to an out of date look ofthe room, home, office display space, etc. Particularly, if a sale ofthe home or vehicle is being contemplated a dated look can be adisadvantage and slow the sale.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is a device for holding an element that can be readilychanged as desired. The changeable element that can be used with thedevice can a wallpaper border strip, a strip of carpet or material, astrip or cardboard or other paper or plastic, etc. The device can beused for decorative purposes or for practical purposes such as a chairrail to keep the wall from being marred.

The changeable element can be of a larger size as a mural, poster,educational chart or other information/art. The device is useful fordecorating a home or other structure, such as a car or truck, arecreational vehicle, a boat, a ship, an airplane or another structure.

A different pattern or design can be readily inserted into the deviceand give an entirely different decorating feel to an environment.Fabric, carpet and other materials can be used with the device toachieve a desired effect.

Thus updating of the decor is quicker and much easier than by currentknown methods. Also the updating of information, art, etc. is quickerand much easier than by current known methods. When a sale of a home ora vehicle is undertaken, presenting the home or vehicle in its bestlight is desirable in order to hasten the sale.

The device has an elongated body with a lip extending from the upperedge and a lip extending from the lower edge. The changeable element isdesigned to slide into a track formed between the lips and thechangeable element is held by the upper and lower lip near to the bodyof the device.

The body of the device can be comprised from plastic, metal, fiberglassor other materials. Lighter weight materials are useful when the deviceis mounted high on a wall. Metal is a good material when the device isof a larger configuration such as a frame as a teaching device.

The body of the device can be provided in lengths and the lengths can beadded to each other as desired to extend to fit a necessary dimension.Connectors on the edges of the elongated body are connectable withconnectors on another elongated body to achieve the desired length.Connectors can be interlocks, adhesive, tabs and receptacles, hook andloop fasteners, and other types of connectors.

Conversely, the body can also be cut to a desired length if the lengthis too great for the desired space/location.

Attachment of the device in a desired position can be achieved byaffixing the device in location with adhesives. Apertures can beprovided through the elongated body. Attachment of the device can beachieved by inserting a nail staple, screw there the aperture in thebody of the device into the structure to affix the device in the desiredposition. Hook and loop fasteners can be used to keep the device in thedesired location.

The device for holding a changeable element is used by attaching thebody to a structure and inserting an element into the body of thedevice.

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference ismade to the following detailed description when read with in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters referto like elements throughout the several views, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an environmental view of a device for holding achangeable element with the decorative element partially inserted to thedevice;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of device of FIG. 1 showing theedges, the connectors and the upper lip and the lower lip;

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of device of FIG. 1 showing the upper lipand the lower lip;

FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of the device of the invention showingone type of connection between sections of the device; and

FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of the device with a differentconnection between the sections of the device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Illustrated in FIG. 1, device 10 is thereshown as positioned on wall 12of structure 14. In this case, device 10 is positioned on wall 12 nearto ceiling 16. Wallpaper 18 is shown as being inserted into device 10.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, device 10 has elongated body 20 withupper edge 22 with lip 24 extending therefrom and lower edge 26 with lip28 extending therefrom. Device 10 has edge 30 and edge 32 extendingbetween upper edge 22 and lower edge 26.

Connectors 34 are provided on edge 30 and 32 for interengagement ondevice 10 with another device 10 to extend the total length.

Aperture 36 is shown on elongated body 20 of device 10 through whichattachment can be made of elongated body 20 to desired location.

Now turning to FIG. 4 thereshown is device 10 of the invention. Device10 comprises connectors 34 with point 40 and receptacle 42 to engagewith point 40 on another body (not shown).

Now turning to FIG. 5 thereshown is device 10 of the invention. Device10 comprises connectors 34 having offsets 44, 46 on edge 30 and 32 forengagement with matching offset on another body.

It is to be understood that the device herein described could beemployed for uses and purposes beyond those for decorating.

Having described the invention, many modifications thereto will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains withoutdeviation from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appendedclaims.

1. A device for holding a changeable element, the device comprising abody having a length with an upper edge of the body extending to anupper lip from the upper edge and a lower edge of the body with a lowerlip extending from the lower edge, whereby a changeable element can beinserted into the device and the changeable element is held in positionin the body by the upper lip and the lower lip.
 2. The device forholding a changeable element according to claim 1, wherein the body ofthe device being a first body and having a connector on the first bodyfor interengaging with a connector on a second body for connecting thefirst body with the second body for extending the length of the devicefor holding a changeable element.
 3. The device for holding a changeableelement according to claim 2, wherein the connector for connecting thefirst body with a second body for extending the length of the device forholding a changeable element comprises a tab on the first bodyengageable with a tab on the second body.
 4. The device for holding achangeable element according to claim 2, wherein the connector forconnecting the first body with a second body for extending the length ofthe device for holding a changeable element comprises an adhesive on oneof the first body and the second body engageable with the other body. 5.The device for holding a changeable element according to claim 2,wherein the connector for connecting the first body with a second bodyfor extending the length of the device for holding a changeable elementcomprises an interlock between the first body and the second body. 6.The device for holding a changeable element according to claim 2,wherein the connector for connecting the first body with a second bodyfor extending the length of the device for holding a changeable elementcomprises a hook fastener on one of the first and second body and a loopfastener on the other of the first and second body.
 7. A device forholding a changeable element in an environment, the environment havingstructure, the device comprising a body having a length with an upperedge extending to an upper lip from the upper edge and a lower edge witha lower lip extending from the lower edge, whereby a changeable elementcan be inserted into the device and the changeable element is held inposition in the body by the upper lip and the lower lip, the devicebeing positionable to the structure of the environment.
 8. A device forholding a changeable element in an environment, according to claim 7wherein the structure of the environment comprises a room having atleast one wall and a ceiling, wherein the device is positionable on theupper edge of a wall near the ceiling for display of the changeableelement.
 9. A device for holding a changeable element in an environment,according to claim 7 wherein the structure of the environment comprisesa vehicle having at least one surface, wherein the device ispositionable on the surface.
 10. A device for holding a changeableelement in an environment according to claim 7 further comprisingattaching the device to the structure of the environment.
 11. A devicefor holding a changeable element in an environment according to claim 10whereby the device is attachable to the structure of the environmentwith adhesive.
 12. A device for holding a changeable element in anenvironment according to claim 10 whereby the device is attachable tothe structure of the environment by a mechanical fastener emplacedthrough an aperture in the body of the device.
 13. A device for holdinga changeable element in an environment according to claim 10 whereby thedevice is attachable to the structure of the environment with a hook andloop fastener.
 14. A method of using the device for holding a changeableelement according to claim 1, the method comprising the following stepsattaching a body having a length with an upper edge of the bodyextending to an upper lip from the upper edge and a lower edge of thebody with a lower lip extending from the lower edge to a structure, andinserting an element into the body of the device.